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PRESIDENT CLINTON ADDRESSES MICHIGAN STATE LEGISLATURE March 6, 1997 Today. President Clinton travels to Lansing, Michigan to address a special session of the State Legislature. In his remarks, the President will underscore the importance of a bipartisan commitment to education. As in his address to the Maryland State Legislature, he will emphasize the need to adopt school standards and highlight steps taken in Michigan to reach that goal. The President will also announce additional efforts at the federal level to coordinate improvement of math and science skills The program for today is as follows: Lt. Governor Connie Binsfield calls the session to order. Reverend Wendell Anthony of Fellowship Chapel, Detroit, MI gives the invocation Lt. Governor Binsfeld introduces House Speaker Curtis Hertel. Speaker Hertel makes remarks and introduces Governor John Engler. Governor Engler makes remarks. Speaker Hertel introduces the President The President makes remarks. The Michigan State Legislature Michigan's legislature is currently divided 16 Democrats and 22 Republicans in the Senate and 58 Democrats and 52 Republicans in the House. Both chambers are up for election in 1998. For the first time in Michigan's history, the Parliamentarians in both Houses (the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate) are women. The current Capitol is Michigan's third, the first two being lost to fire. Completed in 1878, the statehouse was instrumental in establishing the domed capitol as a national symbol. The decorative painting of the Capitol's walls and ceilings exemplifies some of the most notable Victorian art in the United States today. On October 9, 1992, the restoration of the Capitol was awarded a National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the highest preservation award in the country. In 1996, the American Institute of Architects awarded the Capitol their highest honor, the Honor Award for Architecture. -30-30-30- PHOTOCOPY PRESERVATION MICHIGAN SECOND STATE TO ACCEPT CHALLENGE ON NATIONAL STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN MATH AND SCIENCE. Last month, in his State of the Union address, President Clinton challenged states and school districts to participate in a new, voluntary national test for individual students in fourth- grade reading and eighth-grade students mathematics to be administered beginning in the spring of 1999. Today, Governor Engler will announce that Michigan intends to participate in the new national tests. This makes Michigan the second state, after Maryland, to make this commitment. FOCUSING FEDERAL RESOURCES ON HELPING STATES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS IMPROVE MATH EDUCATION Today the President is directing the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, working with other agencies, to develop an action strategy for using federal resources and involving the math, scientific, and technical communities in helping states and school districts prepare students to meet challenging standards in eighth grade math, as well as raise achievement in science. The action strategy, to be completed within 90 days, will include recommendations for the use of federal resources to help states, local school districts and schools to improve teaching, upgrade curriculum, integrate technology and high-quality instructional materials into the classroom, as well as motivate students and help them understand how math concepts are applied in the real world. TECHNOLOGY GRANT AWARDED TO MICHIGAN The President also announced today that the U.S. Department of Education is awarding Michigan $8.6 million under the President's Technology Literacy Challenge Fund. Under the award, funds will go to local schools to help teachers gain training in the use of technology, and also help fund software and hardware, as well as Internet access, to help students connect with the information superhighway and learn to high standards. MORE COMMITMENTS TO AMERICA READS In a sign of progress on his America Reads initiative, the President also announced today that 16 colleges and universities in Michigan had committed more than 1500 work study students to serve as reading tutors over the next 5 years. HOW THE ACTION STRATEGY WILL HELP IMPROVE MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION March 6, 1997 The working group led by the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation (NSF) will identify and recommend key strategies for coordinating fuderal resources to help states and school districts upgrade teaching and learning in math, as well 26 in science. For example, the working group could recommend Easy Access to Resources for Teaching to High Standards: An easy-access joint Department of Education - NSF Internet site where teachers could go to get challenging, classroom-tested instructional units or materials that are linked to national standards. Spreading the Word on Best Practices: A strategy for producing and disseminating products (such as videos and CD-roms that compare classroom teaching approaches in the U.S., Germany and Japan) that statos and local school systems could use to compare their instructional practices with those used in high-parforming countries and outstanding districts in the U.S. Preparing Teachers for World-Class Teaching and Learning: A plan for using Department of Education and NSF programs to foster closer collaboration among school districts, colleges of education, and math and science faculties to incorporate the insights of TIMSS and ensure that teachers graduating from pre-service programs are prepared to excel in real classrooms. Textbooks that Challenge Students to High Math Achievement: A privately-funded, nationwide competition for the development of a high-quality middle school math textbook that embodies the high standards of the national exam. A Public Service Campaign Linking Academic Performance With Work Success: A highly visible, nationwide public service campaign that would help parents and children understand the roal-world importance of basic and advanced math and science skills for success in the 21st Century cconomy. Creating a New Partnership for Math and Science Learning A new partnership among federal agencies. laboratories, higher education, and community organizations to promote greater involvement of professionals with strong math and science backgrounds in consulting with teachors to help students and parents understand the real-world applications of what students are learning. Fostering Community Schools that Promote Math Excellence Develop principles for new community schools focusing on math instruction geared to high standards, with after-school, weekend and summer programs to enrich classroom learning, strong parental involvement, and ongoing opportunities for teachers to stay abroast of the latest developments in their field. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN MICHIGAN COMMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT'S AMERICA READS CHALLENGE March 6, 1997 Baker College Calvin College Central Michigan University Eastern Michigan University Forris State University Grand Valley State University Kalamazoo College Lansing Community College Michigan State University Northern Technological University Northern Michigan University University of Detroit-Mercy University of Michigan Washtenaw Community College Wayne County Community College Western Michigan University TOTAL P. 004 Continuing Progress Toward Raising Standards and Improving Reading and Math DRAFT March 6, 1997 MICHIGAN SECOND STATE TO ACCEPT CHALLENGE ON NATIONAL STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN MATH AND SCIENCE. Last month, in his State of the Union address, President Clinton challenged states and school districts to participate in a new, voluntary national test for individual students in fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade students mathematics to be administered beginning in the spring of 1999. Today, Governor Engler will announce that Michigan intends to participate in the new national tests. This makes Michigan the second state, after Maryland, to make this commitment. FOCUSING FEDERAL RESOURCES ON HELPING STATES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS IMPROVE MATH EDUCATION Today the President is directing the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, working with other agencies, to develop an action strategy for using federal resources and involving the math, scientific, and technical communities in helping states and school districts prepare students to meet challenging standards in eighth grade math, as well as raise achievement in science. The action strategy, to be completed within 90 days, will include recommendations for the use of federal resources to help states, local school districts and schools to improve teaching, upgrade curriculum, integrate technology and high-quality instructional materials into the classroom, as well as motivate students and help them understand how math concepts are applied in the real world. TECHNOLOGY GRANT AWARDED TO MICHIGAN The President also announced today that the U.S. Department of Education is awarding Michigan $8.6 million under the President's Technology Literacy Challenge Fund. Under the award, funds will go to local schools to help teachers gain training in the use of technology; and also help fund software and hardware, as well as Internet access, to help students connect with the information superhighway and learn to high standards. MORE COMMITMENTS TO AMERICA READS In a sign of progress on his America Reads initiative, the President also announced today that 16 colleges and universities in Michigan had committed more than 1500 work study students to serve as reading tutors over the next 5 years. DRAL March 6, 1997 MEMORANDUM FOR THE: SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SUBJECT: Preparing Students to Meet National Standards of Excellence in Eighth Grade Math and Improving Math and Science Education Since the early 1980's, U.S. elementary and secondary school students have begun taking tougher courses, and we are starting to see the results. National Assessment of Educational Progress scores have improved in math and science, with gains in mathematics equal to at least one grade level. On the SAT, average math scores are at their highest in 25 years, even as the number and diversity of test-takers have increased. However, the eighth-grade results of the 41-Nation Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS), released this fall, show that the U.S. is below average in math and just above average in science. That isn't acceptable; in this technology-rich information era, our students need to perform much better in both subjects, but especially in math, if they are to excel at higher level math and science courses that are the gateway to college and to citizenship, productive employment, and lifelong learning. The first step in raising achievement is lifting expectations and setting high standards for what students should know and be able to do. TIMSS, our National Assessment of Educational Progress, and the standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics give us a solid framework to build on. Last month, to help parents and teachers learn who needs help, what changes in teaching to make, and which schools need to improve, I asked the Secretary of Education to develop a voluntary national test for individual eighth-grade students based on widely-accepted, challenging national standards in mathematics. The national test will be available to states and local school districts to give to their students in the spring of 1999, and will measure whether students have reached a high level of mathematics proficiency. The primary responsibility for achieving high standards rests with students, teachers, parents, and schools in local communities across America. However, it is imperative that we work to ensure that federal resources support student success as well. We must ensure that federal programs, research, and human resources are used as effectively as possible to help improve teaching and learning. Therefore, I direct the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, together with other agencies identified in cooperation with the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Domestic Policy Council, to develop an action strategy for using key federal resources to assist states and local school systems prepare students to meet challenging math standards in eighth grade, and for involving the mathematics, scientific, and technical communities in support of these efforts. The action strategy should include recommendations for the use of federal resources to help states, local school districts and schools to improve teaching, upgrade curriculum, integrate technology and high-quality instructional materials into the classroom, as well as motivate students and help them understand how math concepts are applied in the real world. The strategy should identify significant federal programs, activities, and partnerships available to improve teaching and learning, ensure that these resources are appropriately focused on helping students reach challenging math standards, and determine how these resources can best support state and local reforms. In developing this strategy, the inter-agency group should review the current status of improvements in math education, and identify and address critical areas of need, drawing on research and input from educators and professional organizations. Because teaching and learning in math and science are so integrally related, and because success in both subjects is vitally important in this information era, the working group should also review how federal resources and partnerships with other organizations can help improve student achievement in science. The working group should make its recommendations and submit its action strategy to me within 90 days. WILLIAM J. CLINTON cc: ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR DOMESTIC POLICY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY DRAFT -- March 5, 1997 HOW THE ACTION STRATEGY WILL HELP IMPROVE MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION The working group led by the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation (NSF) will identify and recommend key strategies for coordinating federal resources to help states and school districts upgrade teaching and learning in math, as well as in science. For example, the working group could recommend Easy Access to Resources for Teaching to High Standards: An easy-access joint Department of Education -- NSF Internet site where teachers could go to get challenging, classroom-tested instructional units or materials that are linked to national standards. Spreading the Word on Best Practices: A strategy for producing and disseminating products (such as videos and CD-roms that compare classroom teaching approaches in the U.S., Germany and Japan) that states and local school systems could use to compare their instructional practices with those used in high-performing countries and outstanding districts in the U.S. Preparing Teachers for World-Class Teaching and Learning: A plan for using Department of Education and NSF programs to foster closer collaboration among school districts, colleges of education, and math and science faculties to incorporate the insights of TIMSS and ensure that teachers graduating from pre-service programs are prepared to excel in real classrooms. Textbooks that Challenge Students to High Math Achievement: A privately-funded, nationwide competition for the development of a high-quality middle school math textbook that embodies the high standards of the national exam. A Public Service Campaign Linking Academic Performance With Work Success: A highly visible, nationwide public service campaign that would help parents and children understand the real-world importance of basic and advanced math and science skills for success in the 21st Century economy. Creating a New Partnership for Math and Science Learning A new partnership among federal agencies, laboratories, higher education, and community organizations to promote greater involvement of professionals with strong math and science backgrounds in consulting with teachers to help students and parents understand the real-world applications of what students are learning. Fostering Community Schools that Promote Math Excellence Develop principles for new community schools focusing on math instruction geared to high standards, with after-school, weekend and summer programs to enrich classroom learning, strong parental involvement, and ongoing opportunities for teachers to stay abreast of the latest developments in their field. Continuing Progress Toward Raising Standards and Improving Reading and Math DRAFT March 6, 1997 MICHIGAN SECOND STATE TO ACCEPT CHALLENGE ON NATIONAL STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN MATH AND SCIENCE. Last month, in his State of the Union address, President Clinton challenged states and school districts to participate in a new, voluntary national test for individual students in fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade students mathematics to be administered beginning in the spring of 1999. Today, Governor Engler will announce that Michigan intends to participate in the new national tests. This makes Michigan the second state, after Maryland, to make this commitment. FOCUSING FEDERAL RESOURCES ON HELPING STATES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS IMPROVE MATH EDUCATION Today the President is directing the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, working with other agencies, to develop an action strategy for using federal resources and involving the math, scientific, and technical communities in helping states and school districts prepare students to meet challenging standards in eighth grade math, as well as raise achievement in science. The action strategy, to be completed within 90 days, will include recommendations for the use of federal resources to help states, local school districts and schools to improve teaching, upgrade curriculum, integrate technology and high-quality instructional materials into the classroom, as well as motivate students and help them understand how math concepts are applied in the real world. TECHNOLOGY GRANT AWARDED TO MICHIGAN The President also announced today that the U.S. Department of Education is awarding Michigan $8.6 million under the President's Technology Literacy Challenge Fund. Under the award, funds will go to local schools to help teachers gain training in the use of technology, and also help fund software and hardware, as well as Internet access, to help students connect with the information superhighway and learn to high standards. MORE COMMITMENTS TO AMERICA READS In a sign of progress on his America Reads initiative, the President also announced today that 16 colleges and universities in Michigan had committed more than 1500 work study students to serve as reading tutors over the next 5 years. March 6, 1997 DRAFT MEMORANDUM FOR THE: SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SUBJECT: Preparing Students to Meet National Standards of Excellence in Eighth Grade Math and Improving Math and Science Education Since the early 1980's, U.S. elementary and secondary school students have begun taking tougher courses, and we are starting to see the results. National Assessment of Educational Progress scores have improved in math and science, with gains in mathematics equal to at least one grade level. On the SAT, average math scores are at their highest in 25 years, even as the number and diversity of test-takers have increased. However, the eighth-grade results of the 41-Nation Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS), released this fall, show that the U.S. is below average in math and just above average in science. That isn't acceptable; in this technology-rich information era, our students need to perform much better in both subjects, but especially in math, that if they are to excel at higher level math and science courses that are the gateway to college and to we citizenship, productive employment, and lifelong learning. critical to The first step in raising achievement is lifting expectations and setting high standards for what students should know and be able to do. TIMSS, our National Assessment of Educational Progress, and the standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics give us a solid framework to build on. Last month, to help parents and teachers learn who needs help, what changes in teaching to make, and which schools need to improve, I asked the Secretary of Education to develop a voluntary national test for individual eighth-grade students based on widely-accepted, challenging national standards in mathematics. The national test will be available to states and local school districts to give to their students in the spring of 1999, and will measure whether students have reached a high level of mathematics proficiency. The primary responsibility for achieving high standards rests with students, teachers, parents, and schools in local communities across America. However, it is imperative that we work to ensure that federal resources support student success as well. We must ensure that federal programs, research, and human resources are used as effectively as possible to help improve teaching and learning. Therefore, I direct the Department Secre> of Education and the National Science Foundation, together Director ofte with other agencies identified in cooperation with the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Domestic Policy Council, to to develop an action strategy for using key federal resources to assist states and local school systems prepare students to meet challenging math standards in eighth grade, and for involving the mathematics, scientific, and technical communities in support of these efforts. The action strategy should include recommendations for the use of federal resources to help states, local school districts and schools to improve teaching, upgrade curriculum, integrate technology and high-quality instructional materials into the classroom, as well as motivate students and help them understand how math concepts are applied in the real world. The strategy should identify significant federal programs, activities, and partnerships available to improve teaching and learning, ensure that these resources are appropriately focused on helping students reach challenging math standards, and determine how these resources can best support state and local reforms. In developing this strategy, the inter-agency group should review the current status of improvements in math education, and identify and address critical areas of need, drawing on research and input from educators and professional organizations. Because teaching and learning in math and science are so integrally related, and because success in both subjects is vitally important in this information era, the working group should also review how federal resources and partnerships with other organizations can help improve student achievement in science. The working group should make its recommendations and submit its action strategy to me within 90 days. WILLIAM J. CLINTON cc: ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR DOMESTIC POLICY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY HOW THE ACTION STRATEGY WILL HELP IMPROVE MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION March 6, 1997 The working group led by the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation (NSF) will identify and recommend key strategies for coordinating federal resources to help states and school districts upgrade teaching and learning in math, as well as in science. For example, the working group could recommend Easy Access to Resources for Teaching to High Standards: An easy-access joint Department of Education -- NSF Internet site where teachers could go to get challenging, classroom-tested instructional units or materials that are linked to national standards. Spreading the Word on Best Practices: A strategy for producing and disseminating products (such as videos and CD-roms that compare classroom teaching approaches in the U.S., Germany and Japan) that states and local school systems could use to compare their instructional practices with those used in high-performing countries and outstanding districts in the U.S. Preparing Teachers for World-Class Teaching and Learning: A plan for using Department of Education and NSF programs to foster closer collaboration among school districts, colleges of education, and math and science faculties to incorporate the insights of TIMSS and ensure that teachers graduating from pre-service programs are prepared to excel in real classrooms. Textbooks that Challenge Students to High Math Achievement: A privately-funded, nationwide competition for the development of a high-quality middle school math textbook that embodies the high standards of the national exam. A Public Service Campaign Linking Academic Performance With Work Success: A highly visible, nationwide public service campaign that would help parents and children understand the real-world importance of basic and advanced math and science skills for success in the 21st Century economy. Creating a New Partnership for Math and Science Learning A new partnership among federal agencies, laboratories, higher education, and community organizations to promote greater involvement of professionals with strong math and science backgrounds in consulting with teachers to help students and parents understand the real-world applications of what students are learning. Fostering Community Schools that Promote Math Excellence Develop principles for new community schools focusing on math instruction geared to high standards, with after-school, weekend and summer programs to enrich classroom learning, strong parental involvement, and ongoing opportunities for teachers to stay abreast of the latest developments in their field. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN MICHIGAN COMMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT'S AMERICA READS CHALLENGE March 6, 1997 Baker College Calvin College Central Michigan University Eastern Michigan University Ferris State University Grand Valley State University Kalamazoo College Lansing Community College Michigan State University Northern Technological University Northern Michigan University University of Detroit-Mercy University of Michigan Washtenaw Community College Wayne County Community College Western Michigan University COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN MICHIGAN COMMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT'S AMERICA READS CHALLENGE March 6, 1997 Baker College Calvin College Central Michigan University Eastern Michigan University Ferris State University Grand Valley State University Kalamazoo College Lansing Community College Michigan State University Northern Technological University Northern Michigan University University of Detroit-Mercy University of Michigan Washtenaw Community College Wayne County Community College Western Michigan University